What are the potential consequences of climate change on California's water supply?

The choice regarding increased competition for limited water resources is accurate because climate change is expected to exacerbate existing water scarcity issues in California. As temperatures rise, there will be an increase in evaporation rates and changes in precipitation patterns, which can lead to reduced snowpack and more variable rainfall. This situation creates a scenario where multiple sectors—agriculture, urban use, and ecological needs—compete for diminishing water supplies. The growing demands from a larger population, coupled with the uncertainty of climate-induced water availability, intensify competition for water, making it a critical issue for California's future.

Reduced agricultural yields and lower CO2 levels, enhanced irrigation efficiency, and more frequent snowfall in mountain regions do not accurately reflect the anticipated impacts of climate change in California. Rather than benefiting agricultural yields, climate change poses risks such as drought and heat stress on crops. Although efficiency efforts may help, they do not fundamentally change the overall water supply scenario in the face of climate challenges. Furthermore, climate models indicate that snowfall in the Sierra Nevada may decrease rather than increase, given rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns.